Cerridwen and the Phantom Nurse
Chapter One: An Midnight Encounter with Nurse Spooky
Warning: The following contains elements of horror. And a brief scene of mental torture. If you are sensitive to such things. Please enjoy one of my other stories. And though this is a horror story with elements of the supernatural thrown in for flavoring. I would like to assure my faithful readers that this story does indeed have a happy ending.
I've always been something of a frail, sickly child. I think I tend to get more than my fair share of colds, sinus infections, and other such illnesses. Most of the time though I can shrug them off, and keep on moving. Not this time though. This time, over the counter cold and flu pills, mom's chicken noodle soup and a visit from our family doctor could not save me. This time, I've finally landed myself in the hospital.
Now, I've only been in a hospital twice before, the first time was to have my tonsils removed when I was six, the second time was to have my appendix removed when I was twelve. Since then I've managed to stay away from them. But now it seems I'm a guest of Mississippi Medical Center, I have a lovely room all to myself on the fourth floor.
Now according to my friend, or should I say mentor, Madeline Brewer this hospital is haunted. Well most hospitals are haunted. I mean people are born here and they die here. Some people come to one expecting to get treatment and to make a full recovery and others come here expecting to die. I mean, name me a hospital that is not haunted, go on, I dare you to. I bet you a hundred dollars you can't.
Anyway according to my mentor, and friend Madeline Brewer and her best friend Jamie Sarah Potter. This hospital is suppose to haunted by the ghost of a nurse, well two ghost nurses. The first one is something of a guardian angel. If you're prone to believe in such things. She is supposed to comfort children who are near death, and guide them into the afterlife. Ease there passing if you. Stay by their side till they accept their brief time on this rock spinning through space is at an end. Her name is Nurse Mindy and according to all accounts she the guardian angle of this hospital
The other is a wicked thing. She was wicked in life and is wicked in death. She is supposed to be the source of all nightmares, a vile woman, beyond redemption. In life she was known to torment the living and in death she still does. Her name is Nurse Spooky. And she is kind of the boogeyman the other nurses use to scare children into behaving.
According to the stories I've heard. Nurse Spooky and Nurse Mindy are locked in a never ending game of chess. Or an eternal game of cat and mouse with the souls of sick children at stake. To simply put it, Nurse Mindy wants to keep all children safe. And Nurse Spooky wants to drag all the children into the dark shadows of the underworld.
Now there is an old proverb that goes like this. “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” And well I've also been a curious person. Mom says that will be my downfall one day. And I guess that's true. I have often been more curious than afraid when it comes to ghosts, demons and other supernatural beings. I'm sure that will lead to a messy end one day.
Anyway, I knew I had a chance to see a ghost and I knew from all the stories I've heard around a campfire that Nurse Mindy was said to appear to children who strayed from their rooms and roamed the hallways and Nurse Spooky was said to stalk children who ventured into forbidden places. One those places happen to the hospital's mortuary oddly enough.
And so with those two solid pieces of information to go, I hatched a plan. The first step in my plan was to memorize the movement of the nurses on the floor. I'd noticed from midnight to one in the morning the nurse on duty often took her lunch, and that most shift changes took place at five in the morning.
So my best bet was to move a little after midnight when the nurse on duty was taking her lunch and all of the ward was fast asleep. Also the last nurse checked in on me a little after eleven. So between eleven and one I had a golden window to leave my bed and roam the hallway. But I had to roam with a goal in mind. Now I had a few places I wanted to visit, the hospital mortuary being at the top of my list. After all, my friend Susan had tried to go there once and had been caught. I managed to get in and snap a few pictures. I would forever have the bragging rights around the campfire back in Benton and one hell of a story to tell.
And so I waited, counting down each hour. Till at last the clock struck twelve. I pretended to be fast asleep as the eleven o' clock nurse came into my room and checked over me. She looked over my chart, signed a few things and then went on her way. Once I was sure she was gone I opened my eyes, took a deep breath and then gathering up my courage I tossed the thin hospital blanket to the side and slipped out of bed.
As soon as my feet touched the floor I felt a chill rush over me. It was like something or somebody had taken notice of me. I pushed that thought away from me and started to creep toward my door. With trembling fingers I reached out and turned the handle and pushed it open. I then peaked out of the hallway. The hallway was totally void of life. And a pale, full moon could be seen from the windows that lined the hallway.
A small smile crept across my face, as I eased out into the hallway. Then as if going for a casual stroll around the walking track in Goose Egg park back home I started toward the elevator. I even smiled at the nurse who was staffing the nurse station as I strolled right past her. The woman looked up, blinked, rolled her shoulders and went back punching the buttons on her phone. I had no idea what she was doing on her phone and I did hover around to ask. I was a woman on a mission.
Once I reached the elevator I pressed the down button a few moments later a loud chime could be heard as the metal doors slid open. I hovered there for a few minutes before I stepped inside. Then with trembling hands I pushed the 'B' button and then the elevator lurched to life. One by one the floor numbers light up. Everything seemed to be going smoothly till it reached the second floor. Then it stopped and the doors slid open and there in the doorway appeared a nurse.
“Good evening.” She said, smiling a little. “I see we're going to the same place. Mind if I ride with you?” She said as she pressed the 'B' button and the doors closed, sealing me inside with the nurse. At first I thought I was caught, that the game was up and that she was going to question me, and then march me back to my room and tell me off for being out of bed. But instead she just seemed to hover there smiling a little.
It took a moment but something felt off about the nurse. She seemed off. Now I'm a witch, and part of being a witch is reading a person's aura. And the aura that surrounded this person was giving me the creeps. She seemed to notice me peering at her, and then she smiled, it was the most wicked smile I've ever been given. It was not really a smile, more like a smirk, but that smirk soon became what I can only call a very preparatory smile.
“So, how long have you been dead if you don't mind me asking?” The nurse as casually as if she was asking to borrow my phone to call her ride. “And how did it happen? Must have been some kind of illness, long term?” She asked.
“Pardon me?” I was a little taken back. By the question.
“Well, your gown is clean. So it could not have been from an operation gone wrong. And your not bruised and broken up, so it could not have been from a car crash.” She said. “So that only leaves a long term illness that finally got the best of you. You have all your hair, so I'm going to rule out cancer. Unless that a wig you're wearing.” The nurse chuckled. “Really hon, only the dead go down to the basement. So how did it happen?” She paused again. “Let me guess. Suicide?”
“What?” I said backing into a corner. “NO!” I said, taking a deep breath. “Listen Lady! I'm alive! My name is Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn and last time I checked I was alive and kicking!” I said feeling the blood that was flowing through my body turn to ice water.
“Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn.” The nurse said in a sing-song tone of voice. “Sounds a bit Gothic. I bet you were one of those Hot Topic Chicks. We get those from time to time. They listen to songs about about suicide and write depressing poems about life. Let me guess you either slit your wrist open or you overdosed on pills. You look like the kind of girl who would overdose. I bet it was because your boyfriend, the love of your life, broke up with you. Maybe for another Hot Topic Chick or maybe you were bullied to death.”
I don't know why but at that moment I started to fill my blood boil and anger overcame my fear and the sense of dread that was coming from this strange nurse. Whoever she was, she had a really sick, and twisted sense of humor.
“Daisy would never, ever cheat on me!” I shouted.
“Daisy?” The nurse said. “Oh so it was not your boyfriend that broke your heart, it was your girlfriend. That explains it. I bet she came from a super Christian family and when mom found out her daughter was dating the local Gothic chick, she gave her a choice, either break up with you and go to confession and say a thousand Hail Mary's. Or get kicked out of the house and get disowned. And so she broke up with you, and you were so heartbroken that you swallowed a bunch of pills, you then fell asleep and when you woke up you were peering down at your own body? Happens sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes.”
“You have a fucked up sense of humor.” I muttered.
“Comes with being dead. Give it time honey, and you will develop it too. Unless you're going to move on soon. And given you're still floating around this hospital, I take you’re new to the underworld. So allow me to be the first to welcome you to the ever growing, ever expanding realm of the dead. I'm Nurse Spooky and I will be your guide tonight.” She said, chuckling a little.
I felt my jaw drop a little as I started to push myself into the corner.
“Oh don't be shy. I don't bite much!” She said as and at that very moment the metal doors of the elevator slid open and the dark hallway showed itself. We were in the basement now. The nurse just smiled and reached down and took me by the hand. Then she paused.
The moment the nurse's hand touched my hand was the moment I wanted to scream, horrible visions filled my head. Begging children, blood splattered operating rooms, wailing mothers and crying fathers. Children charts getting misplaced or lost. Operating dates getting switched around. And the source of all of this. Was touching my hand at this very moment. And her name was Nurse Spooky.
“Oh what is this?” She said as she let go of my hand. “A bracelet, a plastic bracelet and it has such pretty colors. Pink, blue and white. The same colors of that new flag I've seen flying from the flag poles on the news channel. That explains so much honey.” She said grinning.
“...” I did not want to say anything, instead I just stayed in my corner.
“I've heard these colors belong to a pride flag called 'Trans Pride' . I bet you're one of those Transgender youths we get from time to time. Mommy and daddy could not accept you, girlfriend or boyfriend broke up with you. Your whole world came crumbling down around you. And so in a moment of despair you swallowed a bunch of pills and washed it all down with some bleach for extra measure? Oh dear, no wonder you don't even know your dead!” She cackled. “You were so piled up when you died, you lost yourself in your own little world! Well honey your in my world now and things are about to get twisted!”
It was at that very moment my mothers words came back to bite me square on the ass. Those words were as follows 'One day Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn, that curiosity of yours is going to get you into some really big trouble. And when that day comes, I'm afraid not even all the magic in the world could help you. Mark my words young lady'.
As I felt myself being pulled into the darkness. I started to pray. I prayed to the Goddess that she would take pity on me, and send somebody out to save me! And as the darkness closed in around me, I knew in my heart of hearts I had crossed a threshold. I had left the world of the living, and was now a traveler in the world of the dead.
To be continued.
Cerridwen and the Phantom Nurse
Chapter Two: A Fight from Peril
“Come now Cerridwen. We must keep your appointment with the Grim Reaper.” The nurse said smiling as she reached down and wrapped her fingers around my wrist. And with that she pulled me into the darkened hallway. I wanted to struggle, to break free, but she held me firmly in her grasp. And so I could only breathe a prayer as she pulled upon me.
The hallway was dark. And was filled with strange voices. Everything felt off. Normally you would expect any hallway of a hospital to be brightly lit. But not this area. Everything seemed to cast long shadows and the noises that filled the air made me shiver. I can not begin to describe those noises. They were simply inhuman.
“You are in my world now.” The nurse said. “I'm sure right now you're wondering who I might be? And yes, I've been quite rude. I don't think I properly introduced myself. My name is Nurse Spooky and I'm the keeper of all little lost souls in this hospital.” She said with a chuckle.
I felt my blood run cold as I tried to once more break free of her hold. I reached down and covered her hand with my hand as I tried to break the grip she held me in. This only caused her to look on in amusement as she peered at me struggling to break free. After about thirty seconds I gave up and just stood there, huffing and puffing.
“The only thing you're doing is tiring yourself out. You're still sick. Very sick, and this little midnight adventure has set your treatment back a good day or two. If I was you, I would stop trying to fight and spend the few hours of breath you have left in your lungs praying.” Nurse Spooky said with a grin.
“Fuck you! I'm not going down without a fight!” I shouted back as I turned around and showed my teeth to the strange nurse. “I'm a witch after all! And I will fight you!” I yelled, my voice seemed to echo down the endless hallway. All it did was echo and soon the echo faded to nothingness.
Then a hard look came across Nurse Spooky's face. I can't read facial expressions all that well, but she went from being amused to being pissed and a few seconds later she raised her hand and slapped me right across the face. The force of the slap knocked me down to the ground. And for a moment, I saw nothing but stars that looked like they had been drawn by a six year old and lines that had been drawn by a three year old.
“You don't understand it. You are in my world now.” Nurse Spooky said in a harsh tone of voice. “I have power over everything that happens here.” She then hauled me up and brought me within an inch of her face. “Here I am God.” She muttered before she shoved me down to the ground.
The force of her shove pushed me down and I bounced off the dirty floor of the hallway. For a moment I forgot about my plight and only reached up to rub my cheek and rub the sting out of my bottom.
“That's it!” I cried in a shrill tone of voice. “I'm going to sue the ever loving hell out of this hospital! And I'll see your ass in court!” I bellowed at the top of my lungs.
“Foolish mortal.” Nurse Spooky said. “You can not sue the living dead.” She said as she leaned down and pushed her face into my face. “But the living dead can harm you.”
Now let me tell you guys something. I'm an old country girl and an old farm girl. And even if what this weird nurse was saying was true, that she was the fabled Spooky. I was not about to get pushed around by nobody, ghost or no ghost. And so I stood up, and balled my fist up and got into a fighting stance. Yes I was about to fisticuffs a ghost.
“I don't know who you are, but you just brought yourself a old fashion dusting.” I said as I peered toward the woman. Now to any onlooker this would have been a comical scene. Here is a this as a railroad trail transgirl, standing in a darkened hallway wearing only a pair of slippers and a one size to big pink hospital gown with her jet black hair tied in two braided pigtails and her fist raised into the air as if she ready to go ten rounds with Mike Tyson.
And on the other side, you have a nurse, who's hair was also black, but pulled back in a high ponytail. Who the best I could tell with the limited light in the hallway was wearing a old fashion nurses uniform, you know a starched white dress, only this time the dress was black, and was she wearing black lipstick too? Oh my Goddess she was, black lipstick, black nail polish, and enough black eyeliner to put any Hot Topic Girl to shame.
“Nurse Emo.” I added.
“I see you've yet to learn your lesson.” She said as she advanced toward me. Once more she swung, but this time I was ready. I ducked down and went under her swing and popped up in front of her. I would have loved to have had my camera on me at that moment because the look on her face was priceless. I smiled and grinned and a few seconds later I felt my balled up fist connecting with her jaw.
“You little bitch!” She cried as she stumbled forward a little. “I was going to let you die peacefully. But you just made me change my mind. I hope you're ready to see your maker!” She bellowed as she started to rush toward me.
I narrowed my eyes and started to take a few steps back. I kept my eyes glued on her though. I can't recall what I was thinking at the time. I guess I was too mad to think. But if this was the fable Nurse Spooky then I was going to pay her back for all the harm she had done. And if it was just some deranged nurse pretending to be her. Well I could always say I was acting in self defense.
“I'm going to enjoy watching you suffer!” She bellowed As she once more swung at me. I think she intended to knock me out. The moment she made that pass at me was the moment I stepped back and just as I'd hoped she stumbled forward allowing me to bring my ball up first right under her chin, I swear I heard her teeth shatter as I felt my fist connect with her chin.
“Oh!” She bellowed as she stumbled backwards. This time it was her time to land flat on her ass. Now, only a fool stays and fights a battle he or she can not win. And something told me that while I might have gained the upper hand for now, in the long run she could overpower me. And plus I was still sick.. so while she was stunned I turned upon my heels and ran back toward the elevator.
“You can't escape me!” I heard her bellowing.
“Go to Hell!” I cried over my shoulder.
“You're already in Hell!” She responded as she started to chase after me.
“Then it sucks, zero out of five stars!” I retorted as I dashed into the elevator. I don't know which button I pushed. I just pushed one button and I prayed as the steel door started to close. I knew I was trapped. Trapped in a death box. But then again an elevator is the perfect place to make a last stand am I right? I mean there was no way she could flank me. And if push came to shove, I could always try to shove her out and then make my great escape.
Anyway as the metal door started to close. I saw her hand enter the elevator. In the bright LED lighted box I saw just how twisted her hand had become. The flesh had turned a grayish color that reminded me of hamburger meat that had started to spoil. Her fingernails were yellow and long. I crossed myself and then I did the only thing I could think of. I bit her hand.
Yes I bit down upon her hand and I heard her bellow in pain. It had its drawbacks, I got a bit of her grayish color flesh in my mouth. I quickly spat it out and tossed what little dinner I had down on the floor. The nurse screamed and the door closed and the elevator started to move.
A few moments later the elevator stopped and the door opened.. This time no nurse walked in. Trust myself, I stepped out of the elevator. The sign above the door read 'First Floor. Coffee Shop, Food Service, Gift Shop, Bakery and Church.' Without thinking I started to rush toward the sound of people. I took a moment to pause and look at the large digital clock that seemed to be hanging above another sign. The time read two... two in the morning. I'd been gone for three hours.
“Oh my Goddess, mom is going to kill me!” I said as I sunk down to my knees. Maybe I should have stayed down in the basement with that crazy woman? Because the moment my mom found out that I'd crept out of my bed to look into an old urban legend well. First she'll tear into the nurse who was supposed to have been watching me. And by that I mean she would really dress her down, the next thing she'll do will be to scold me from her to Benton and back again and then ground me. Heck she might even ground me for the rest of the year.
“I'm so screwed..” I said, sighing. “If only I had only stayed in bed. Then none of this would have happened.” I said, taking a deep breath.
“Excuse me?” A voice called out from behind me.
I blinked and turned around to face the source of the voice. The voice seemed to belong to a woman who had blonde hair, blue eyes and also seemed to be a nurse. A brass name badge pinned just above her breast read “Amanda Fairchild RN”
“Yes ma'am?” My voice crocked a little as I peered into the blue eyes of the nurse.
“Would you happen to Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn?” She said as she walked up to me, she placed a loving hand upon my shivering shoulder. “If so, then I want you to know you have half the hospital looking for you right now young lady?” She told me in a concerned tone of voice.
“Sorry...” My voice trailed a little. “I wanted to get something to drink from one of the vending machines.. cause I was thirsty and I did not want to bother the nurse on duty.” I lied. Now, I'm not a Christian but many of my friends are. And well you can say, that by being around them, attending church with them, I've been exposed to enough of the teachings to learn about the faith through direct exposure. I think this process is called learning by proxy, or Osmosis. Anyway I knew telling a lie was bad.
But the simple truth was this. I did not want to owe up to my own actions. I found it easier at that moment to lie about wanting a drink from one of the vending machines than telling a nurse I'd been foolish enough to leave the comfort, warmth and it seems safety of my hospital bed to explore the hospital's morgue. I just could not bring myself to confess that.
“I see.” The nurse's voice seemed to trail a little. “Did you get your drink?” She asked as she slowly lifted me off the floor. With a gentle hand she started to brush away the dust and dirt that had gathered at the sleeves and at the bottom of my gown.
“No ma'am.” I said, shifting my eyes toward a far corner of the room.
“I see.” The nurse said, smiling a little as she folded her arms across her chest. “And how did you end up here in the lobby of the hospital?” She asked as she leaned in a little.
“I forgot my coin purse and I thought about returning to my room to get it. But I did not want to get told off by the nurse on duty. So instead I went down to the lobby and I was going to fish for some spare change from the fountain in the center. Once I got enough change together I was going to get me something to drink and snack on from the vending machine and once I got my change purse I was going to repay what I 'Borrowed' from the fountain.” I said starting to play with one of my braided pigtails.
At that moment the nurse looked like somebody had lifted up an iron skillet and smacked her right across the face with it. She just peered at me as if struggling to form a sentence. Finally after what seemed like forever and a day she stuttered out something. I don't know what she said because it was more like a sound than a sentence.
“I think you and I need to have a little talk.” She said finally as she heaved a sigh. She then shifted her eyes toward the coffee stand. “And I guess I better get you something to drink too. Would Hot Chocolate do?” She asked as she offered me her hand.
“Hot Chocolate would be wonderful!” I said beaming.
Nurse Amanda only sighed and started to rub the back of her neck. At that moment I would have given all the tea in China to know what was going through her head. Maybe, it's best if that forever remains a mystery to me though.
Cerridwen and the Phantom Nurse
Chapter Three: Nurse Amanda Fairchild.
Nurse Amanda motioned for me to take a seat at one of the tables that seemed to be bolted to the floor. As I climbed up and eased my bottom down upon the chair. My mind started to wander. And my eyes started to drift around the lobby. The lobby was a verbal ghost town. Slowly my eyes started to focus on Nurse Amanda who seemed to be talking to the barista who between us three seemed to be the only three living people around.
A few minutes passed in this manner with Nurse Amanda waiting by the counter with her arms folded across her chest, just under her breast as she tapped her foot upon the ground to mark the passing of each second. The barista seemed to be moving slower than maple syrup in winter. Or maybe she was just new at her job. Or was she just coming to work? Anyway Nurse Amanda seemed to be in a hurry, like she was racing the punch out clock. I wonder if she had been just about to punch out? Maybe her shift had been extended and would only end when she saw me safely back to my room. And tucked into my hospital bed.
After what seemed like forever and a day, the barista handed two styrofoam cups across the counter. Nurse Amanda whispered something to the barista that made her eyes go wide as saucers. After that little exchange she started to move toward our table.
“Here.” She said, handing me the styrofoam cup. “Now listen, I don't have much time. So, do me a big favor. And be totally honest with me, what is the real reason you were not in your bed when the night nurse made her early morning rounds this morning.” She said in a point blank manner knocked me right out of my day dreaming.
“Well.” I said, taking a deep breath as I wrapped my fingers around the styrofoam mug for warmth. “Okay, my friend told me a ghost story about a nurse who is supposed to haunted this hospital. And I've heard dozens of urban legends about her from others. And I guess I wanted to find out for myself if she was real or not.”
The nurse nodded her head.
“So. Let me ask you, do you believe in ghosts?” She said as she took another sip of her coffee.
“Well.. I don't know what I believe in anymore. A few minutes ago, I saw this really sick nurse. Like she was rude to me, and called me names, she even hit me. And called herself 'Spooky' like I know there is supposed to be another ghost nurse who haunts this hospital. Her name is supposed to be Spooky, and she is supposed to be Nurse Mindy yang.” I said as I slowly took a sip. The beverage was still too hot to really enjoy.
“What if I told you that there are ghosts in this world and ghosts can harm you? Would you believe me?” The strange nurse asked as she took a sip from her coffee.
“I don't know..” I said looking down at the table. I started to draw a figure eight with the tip of my finger. I then looked up and noticed the nurses eyes had gone cold, they were cold as ice.
“You had an encounter with Nurse Spook about an hour ago. You were lucky, you managed to escape her grasp. Few have. Those children who have fallen into her clutches normally never see the light of day again. Sometimes they do. Those that have resurfaced are normally hollowed out shells of their former selves.” Nurse Amanda said as she peered at me. “All of them have one thing in common, they thought it would be fun, to see if they could see if the rumors are true.”
I nodded my head and took another sip of my beverage.
“Let me explain.” She said, sighing. “Running parallel to our world there is a different world. This world is a world of shadows. Sometimes, say on certain days of the year. Halloween being one, and at certain places, this hospital being one of those certain places. The two worlds crossover. They intersect allowing people from this shadow world to cross over into this world and for people from this world to cross over into their world. Are you following me so far?” Nurse Amanda said with a heavy sigh.
“I think so.” I said taking another sip of my beverage was now cool enough to enjoy without running the risk of burning the skin off my tongue.
“Okay good.” Nurse Amanda said, sighing again. She seemed to be sighing a lot. “Because really, things normally don't go this far. I normally catch children and return them to their room before Spooky can get her claws on them. But tonight was insane. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, certain places in this world are focal points for these intersections. You know that abandoned playground nobody uses? The one everybody swears is haunted? That old, abandoned house that everybody swears is haunted? Graveyards.. the list goes on and on. Anyway you stumbled upon one of those intersections tonight.”
I nodded my head.
“So, if what you're saying is true. Those rumored haunted locations are not only really haunted but also intersections where our world and this shadow world overlap each other?” I said as I tried to make heads or tails of what this strange nurse was saying.
“Yes.” She said smiling. “You're pretty sharp for a kid who just stuck her hand into a vipers den. Which really boils my blood. Because if you knew this much, you would have known better. I really wish I could teach you a lesson you will never forget. But my shift is about to end. And I need to rest.” She said, sighing. “I've used up too much of myself tonight and I'm gonna be feeling it come tomorrow evening.”
“So you are a ghost?” I asked.
The nurse just smiled and slowly started to vanish in front of me.
“Not a ghost per say. But a guardian spirit. While the shadow world might be filled with dangers, and filled with evil spirits that mean to do harm to all living creatures who trespass into their realm. There is kind of a 'Police Force' if you will of guardian spirits that do their best to keep the evil at bay and to shepherd those foolish souls who have wandered into the shadows back into the light.”
And with that she totally vanished.
A stunned silence fell over me as I peered toward the seat that Nurse Amanda was just sitting in. The hospital it seemed was just waking up. Doctors tired from their long twelve hour shifts were starting to fill the lobby. All of them looked grim, some looked tired. Others looked mad as hell. Nurse's too followed behind them. Their scrubs were dirty and some were even stained with blood and other body fluids. Their hair sticking out. Their face's pale. It kind of reminded me of those old oil paintings I'd seen from the First World War in my school’s history book.
Of course these doctors and nurses and the supporting staff were waging a war. A never ending war, one in which the enemy, Death would never be defeated, neither would his lieutenants Illness, pesticides, and the most feared of them disease, the three horsemen of the human race. I did not have long to muse on this, as soon another nurse was nearing my table. She also had blonde hair and blue eyes.
“Cerridwen.” She said as she peered toward me. “Where have you been, young lady? We've been looking all over this hospital for you! Do you have any idea how much trouble you have caused for the staff?” She said putting one hand on her hip as she leaned over and held up her finger.
I blushed a little, I wanted to say something. But I felt now would not be the best time to say anything. Instead I just looked down and in a meek,humble tone of voice said.
“I'm sorry!” I said looking down at the ground.
“Sorry not going to cut it young lady!” She said almost turning red. “I've had the whole hospital turned upside down in my search for you.” She then shifted her eyes toward a wheelchair that sat in the corner of the lobby.
“I want you to wait right there, and you better not move one inch! You're already in deep trouble.” She said in a scolding tone of voice. She then walked over and got the wheelchair and pushed it toward me. She then unfolded the thing and then, with some kind of superhuman strength picked me off the chair and placed me into the wheelchair. Once I was seated in the wheelchair she started to push me toward my room.
“You're grounded!” She said as she pushed me down the long hallway. “You're so grounded until your doctor says you can leave. So grounded. You just lost all your privileges. You're not allowed in the playroom. You're not allowed to use the hospital's internet. The television is.. well your room does not have a television but if it did we'll remove it!” She said puffing.
I blinked and blinked again. Well for one I thought I was too old to use the playroom. I had not idea my ward had a playroom to begin with, two, my phone could not even access the internet and my laptop was at home charging. Plus to access the internet you need the hospital's password. I had no idea what the password was. Three, my phone was a old flip phone.. I only used it to send a text to my boyfriend. You know we sometimes flirt through text. And three who watches television anymore!
“I swear if you were my child! I would turn you over my knee right now! What with you Benton girls and wanting to sneak out of your rooms. First it was that Madeline Brewer girl, then it was that Jamie Potter girl and now you! It must be something in that water!” She muttered.
“Can I ask a question?” I said blushing. I saw my chance and I took it.
“Yes.” The nurse said in a snappy tone of voice as she pushed me toward the lift.
“Is this hospital haunted?” I asked as I started to look around me.
The nurse heaved a heavy sigh.
“Oh not that story again! I swear to God if I find the air headed nurse who has been spreading those stories around, I promise you I'm going to turn her over my knee!” She muttered as she looked down at the ground.
“No, this hospital is not 'haunted'. That is an old urban legend that has been around since the late eighties. I remember hearing about the legend of the phantom nurse when I was your age. Trust me, the only thing 'haunting' this hospital is a sudden outbreak of brats, like you, who think it's fun to sneak out of their beds at night and roam around the hospital. A hospital is no place for children to play hide and seek in! This is a place of healing, not a playground or theme park or amusement park. If you want to go to a haunted house wait till Halloween or go to Liberty Land in Memphis or Bayou Land down in New Orleans or something!” She said with another sigh.
I did not say another word for the rest of the trip.
Now, before I end my story, I'm going to add a few more facts that I uncovered. I was released from the hospital a few days later. My fever had broken and I was deemed well enough to go back home. None of the nurses told my mom about my late night adventure. And mom spoiled me by taking me out to Red Lobster before turning back to Benton. Now a few nights after I was released from the hospital. I went on Google and typed in “Nurse Amanda Fairchild” what came up was an obituary.
It seemed there was a nurse named Amanda Fairchild, though her co-workers tended to call her 'Nurse Mindy' she was loved by all. She was killed in a tragic car wreck a few days before Halloween. The obituary included a photo. And let me tell you, I'd almost wet myself the moment I looked at that photo. Because peering at me through the old digital scan was a woman who was the splitting image of the woman who had brought me coffee a few nights before.
Which leads me to ask a question, a question I'm too scared to find out. If Nurse Mindy was real, what about Nurse Spooky? The nurse I fought with in the basement. And what of that little talk we had about the shadow world. Was Nurse Mindy warning me away from venturing into forbidden areas or was she giving me advice? I have so many questions, and yet for once I think It would be best to leave those questions unanswered.
The End.
The Adventure of Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn continues in “Cerridwen plays Dotty”. If you would like to read more about the adventures of Cerridwen Circe Whitethorn please consider reading. “The Adventures of Circe Whitethorn” and the many other stories which she stars in. And as always thank you for reading.